Passionate Progressive Patriot

This blog is created to advance progressive politics in America, i.e. to advocate for economic justice in America and the world, human rights and civil liberties, reduction of conflict and war, and for sane and safe environmental policies.

Sunday, November 13, 2016

Last night I had a dream of Abraham Lincoln, the trigger for which must surely be the abhorrence I am feeling by the transition to power of someone so unworthy to lead our nation as Donald Trump. In the dream, Abraham Lincoln gave me a commendation, and I was filled with the glow of pride to have been recognized by someone of such moral character and noble purpose as Abraham Lincoln.
Over the years, I have often thought that the Civil War had never really ended and that the nation's ugly underbelly of racism and bigotry of all kinds was just below the surface. Now, such odious symptoms have been crassly stirred by the sheerest of demagogic rhetoric in an artful game in which the nation surely loses as a whole.
Perhaps, tapping into the memory of what Abraham Lincoln brought us through, we might find our way home again. Because, surely Trumpland is a strange country in which many of us have lost our moorings.

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

We need a new direction for these times!! I suggest the dream team of Elizabeth Warren and Alan Grayson to lead our nation
What are the times? Endless war, Surveillance State, Global warming and Climate catastrophe, more inequality, more unemployment, Drones and Human Rights abuses, we can't afford the status quo! Far right politics and compromising centrism has gotten us close to disaster. Time to step away from tht dangerous precipice. Karita Hummer

I couldn't agree more!! from a feature-length article in the New Republic on Monday, titled "Hillary's Nightmare? A Democratic Party That Realizes Its Soul Lies With Elizabeth Warren" My dream team, Elzabeth Warren for president and Alan Grayson for Vice President! Karita Hummer

Saturday, August 31, 2013

Two amendments recently failed in Congress, one that would have curtailed the massive collection of telephonic and digital communications of American citizens by NSA and the other, that would have curtailed the authorization of endless wars and unseemly covert military actions around the world in the name of fighting terrorism.

It seems to me that I have lost the country I have known, of Constitutional Law, that respects my privacy and freedom as a citizen and one that shows respect for International law, where the killings of innocent children are not dismissed and rationalized as "necessary" for self defense.

Deeply disappointed, bereft and aggrieved at the loss of a country that purported to live by the highest standards of ethics and moral integrity! Uncle Sam, you have given up the high ground on which we were founded. I want my country back!

President Obama, with the power vested in us, through our Congressional representatives, we implore you to follow Ralph Nader's thoughtful admonition to you against any attempt on your part to exercise unconstitutional war powers in your apparent rush to war against Syria!! http://www.commondreams.org/view/2013/08/31 We implore you to defer to Congress in questions of declaring war! Your most solemn oath is to uphold our Constitution, and as Nader so directly points out, the power to declare War resides with Congress.

Clause 11. To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;

When there were no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, it was of the utmost folly for Bush and Cheney, (your recent immunity afforded them, notwithstanding) to so blithely ignore the work of UN Inspectors there and rush instead to war. They acted with impunity, and now it appears that you want to act in just such an imperial manner as well. Step back a minute and consider your obligations under the Constitution and, indeed, under International Law, as well. Unmanned war weapons may be part of the problem, here; their use may seem too easy. Try waging peace, instead of war!! It is the better moral option, and a better legal one at that!! Impunity is unbecoming in any branch of government!! http://thepeoplesguidetotheusconstitution.com/blog/articles/congressional-power-to-declare-war/

Monday, August 5, 2013

Edward Snowden deserves the Nobel Peace Prize, because "the truth will set us free"

Did you know that the Continental Congress created the first Whistleblower Protection Law in 1778. Amazing! and it is all the more hurtful to realize this. Benjamin Franklin warned us ages ago that if we give up freedom for security, we end up with neither. Sure does seem like Al Quaida destroyed our nation, as we knew it and had it!! But we didn't have to let it happen!See http://www.commondreams.org/view/2013/08/05-3

A "Police State" during my youth was the worst place in the world one could live in! But,WE were free, and we relished it!!!!! So long ago, it seems.

but wait! What news from Reuters do we have this morning?

"(Reuters) - A secretive U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration unit is funneling information from intelligence intercepts, wiretaps, informants and a massive database of telephone records to authorities across the nation to help them launch criminal investigations of Americans.

Although these cases rarely involve national security issues, documents reviewed by Reuters show that law enforcement agents have been directed to conceal how such investigations truly begin - not only from defense lawyers but also sometimes from prosecutors and judges."

About Me

This blog is dedicated to the memory of my immigrant father from Sicily and Mother, who taught me politics at an early age: my father, ever the Patriot and my Mother, ever the compassionate inspiration.
Therefore, I've been active in politics all my life.